The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-08-18

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / shall soon
begin TO realize that i was not in the army.
Should i wake up some morning and find my
body minus war scars, would be fully satisfied
my illusions were bat realities Of some mid
night dream, caused by an overloaded stomach.
In recent issue Of The NATIONAL TRIBUNE
Comrade w. Il. Hamilton, Sth Mich. states that
his regiment was the first TO penetrate the
abatis around Fort Malone on April 2, 1865
j wish 20 correct him, as well ms the comrade
Of the 9th Mich, of the First Division, Ninth
Corps.
There is a grand mistake somewhere, and
now is the time 10 correct such errors-while
We have surviving comrades TO Endorse our
statements. On the morning OF April 2, 1865.
our brigade was formed just 10 the ieit Of Fort
He'll, where we remained from IL o'clock y. m.
April 4, until just daylight Of April 2. when
we formed line of battle Ina the following
order, battalion front: 3lst Me. in the ad-
vance, 18th Vt, 9th N. H., 1S6th N. Y, l79th
n. " 9th n. H., I'd Nd. and, think, the 4th
N. III. In the rear
The charge was ordered lust at daylight.
Our line was a direct one for what was known
as Fort DamnatiOn, abreast of Fort He'll When
We reached the fort the chevaux de fTise was
unbrOken hut M less time than 1 can write IL
we were through the abatis and line of chevaux
de frlse, and the fort was ours i have ALWAYS
supposed this WAS Fort Malone; if SO il be-
can assure Comrade Hamilton that his regi-
ment was not the first that planted the Stripes
and Stars, nor my own regiment either; for
our flag was shot down several times, and on
reaching the fort, and calling for our colors,
they could not be found they were left ON the
held, aEd were not found until the next day.
We rallied what few of our men we had on
the colOrs OF the 18th VT. Col Randail's regi-
meni) Our regiment received a terrible bap-
tism in leading the van. The Second Brigade
nj he
FIRST body OF men that scaled the ramparts of
Fort Damnation, and / have always supposed
that fort was called Fort Malone. Ii am
mistaken In the name Of the fort stand cor
rected; but If that was Fort Malone, our bril-
gade was the first TO plant the Stars and
Stripes upon its ramparts.
few moments after its capture Mai. Peck
ham, OF Gen. Curtiss staff, was killed and il
the cap he wore that day can be seen, on the
under side Of the visor my name can be found
written with leadpencll for promotion for my
actions under his personal observation.
Gen. Hartranfts Brigade Was on our right.
and charged few minutes after our assault
upon Fort Malone. But the First Brigade.
First Division, Ninth Corps, did not capture
Fort Damnation Fort Mahone). We lost our
colOrs by leaving them ON the ground. and
did not miss them until after the fort was cap
tnred and we wanted 10 rally on them. was
wounded here, but remained In the action nn-
til after dark, and l verify believe know
something about the actions of our corps that
day for j observed every manuyer of each
brigade in the three divisions. From the no.
sition we held it gave us view of the whole
line Tor upwards Of a mile. Any comrade who
was in this battle can truthfully saw be never
received warmer reception than when charg-
ing from Fort Hell To Fort Damnation Can
any comrade tell me the name OF the fort
where Confederate bomb struck in the para
I pet and blew several men into tho air, cutting
the parapet badly2
The Sixth Corps came 20 our support about
$50 p. m, after we had run out of ammunition,
and more welcome sight never greeted nv
eyes than it's glistening bayOnets on that after
noon OF April 2-JULIUs d. RHODES Sergeant.
90. II, 3lst Me- St. Charles Hotel, Washington.
ID. G.